Island Peak Climbing

Apparently, the hours’ long flight can be really tiresome! As soon as you fly into the Nepalese airspace, you’ll observe lush greenery, terrace fields, and the majestic Himalayas below. Upon your arrival at Kathmandu Airport, meet one of our representatives waiting to escort you to the hotel through the vibrant yet narrow streets of Kathmandu City. Once settled in, you can either relax in your room enjoying the amenities offered by your hotel or go forth for a jaunt to nearby tourist attraction. Take an evening walk around the tourist hub of Thamel to find your delight in its bustling atmosphere.

Today, you can start out a sightseeing day trip around Kathmandu Valley on your own. But if you prefer a guided sightseeing tour, we can organize a customized excursion to Kathmandu’s cultural highlights in the company of a knowledgeable tour guide. Soak yourself in the serene ambience of the holy Hindu Temple of Pashupatinath. Afterwards, make a stopover in the sacred Buddhist stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath and check out the sheer size of the stupa structures that are among the largest in the earth. Last but not least, visit the Basantapur Durbar Square. Alongside marvellous ancient architecture, this stupendous complex of palace, courtyards, and temples showcase the artistic skills as well as the craftsmanship of Nepalese craftsmen over several centuries.

After a healthy breakfast, we’ll catch a domestic flight bound to Lukla. Utilizing about 35 minutes, this scenic flight extends aerial outlooks of thriving woodland, high valleys, and lofty mountain tops. An adventure in itself, the Landing at Lukla Airport will surely raise the levels of adrenaline within the body. We’ll now follow a rugged yet well-marked trail along the banks of Dudh Koshi River. Accompanied by the sublime views of Mt. Kusum Kanguru (6,367m), we’ll advance beyond the verdant countryside, colourful prayer flags, stacks of Mani stones as well as the Sherpa settlements of Chheplung (2,660m), Thado Koshigoan (2,580m) and Nuring (2,492m) to arrive at Phakding (2,652m).

We’ll resume our trek and forge ahead on the trail that consists of multiple crossings over Dudh Koshi River via the high suspension bridges. Moving further to the other side of pinewoods and quaint Sherpa villages which include Zapute, Toktok, Benkar and Chhamuwa, we’ll make it Monjo (2,835m). We’ll stop here at a checkpoint to show our permits then continue uphill to Jorsalle (2,740m). With the spectacular vistas of Kongde Ri (6,187m), we’ll navigate through the enchanting woodland of Sagarmatha National Park (a UNESCO natural world heritage site) to climb a steep hillside leading to Namche Bazaar. During this final ascent, you can catch the initial glimpses of Mt. Everest i.e. hidden in between Lhotse and Nuptse if the weather is clear.

This is our first Acclimatization day. At the elevation of 3,440m, Namche Bazaar is the appropriate place for early adaptation to the surroundings with higher altitudes and lower oxygen density. Also regarded as the centre of commercial activity in the Khumbu Region, this prosperous Sherpa town boasts of a weekly local market on Saturday mornings, numerous outlets selling essential commodities, bank, ATM, internet cafes, bakery, restaurants and lodges. Take a good look around this splendid settlement. Moreover, a quick visit to the Sherpa Museum is worthwhile. You’ll find a replica Sherpa home alongside the photos that describes the history, culture and traditional lifestyle of the Sherpa people. These pictures also explain the pivotal role of the unsung Sherpas in the development of the trekking industry and ascents of Everest throughout history. You can spot the Thamserku (6,623m) to the east and Kongde Ri (6,187m) to the west alongside other adjacent peaks.

This morning, we’ll depart from Namche Bazaar. Further, we proceed on the rugged path, the outlooks of the snow-clad mountains get more fascinating! We’ll push on far down into the Dudh Koshi Valley to arrive at Phungki Thanka. Discover the breathtaking mountain scenery here. Subsequent to a steep ascent, we’ll keep going through rhododendron forest to end up at Tengboche (3,870m). Situated at the conflux of Dudh Koshi and the Imja River, Tengboche is encircled by the ridges covered in alpine vegetations. We’ll make a stopover at Tengboche Monastery. This beautiful Buddhist structure flaunts the unparallel backdrop of Ama Dablam, Everest and Lhotse.

Trekking along the rough grounds past Deboche (3,820m) to Somare (4,010), we’ll notice that the terrain turn out to be flat till Orsho (4,190m). Subsequently, we’ll emerge at Somso Ogma, a hamlet with a handful of teahouses. It is here, the trail branches off into two; to the right, it leads to Dingboche. We’ll head to the right traverse the Pheriche Pass (4,270m) and few stone walls to end up at Pheriche (4240 m). This small village is home to a Trekkers Aid Post supported by the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) and staffed by western as well as Nepalese volunteer doctors who offer consultation and treatment to concern trekkers.

We’ll have a second acclimatization day. When compared to nearby Dingboche, Pheriche is a better place for acclimatization purposes as it is a 100m lower than Dingboche and has the HRA Aid Post. It is important to adjust the body according to the change in the elevations. Failure to do so results in Acute Mountain Sickness, which can kill a human regardless of age, sex, and profession. To speed up the process of adaptation to a new climate, a short hike to the awesome viewpoint of Nangkartshang Peak can be done.

We’ll move ahead across terra firma of a vast valley to Dughla (4,620m). It is a gradual climb. We can take a note of the ivory mountains, which are now getting closer and closer as we take our steps forward. Passing by the tombstones erected as the memorials for the individuals died on Everest expeditions, we’ll climb out of the valley then descend to the grazing lands for yaks at Lobuche (4,940m).

Climbing over a ridge full of glacial moraines from Khumbu Glacier, we’ll progress beyond the Italian Pyramid (4,970m). Negotiating ice-cold temperature, hostile terrain and Lobuche Pass (5,110m), we’ll reach the highest point of the beaten path marked by several stone cairns (dedicated to Sherpas and climbers who sadly lost their lives in the quest to reach Everest summit) which tends to remind that Everest is indeed a dangerous place. We'll then gradually move down to Gorakshep (5,180m). Despite the fact that there is not much elevation gain today; the altitude, as well as a lot of ascend and descend, will synergically make this trek very arduous. Nevertheless, the struggle is worth the effort! Succeeding a 3-hour (approx.) long hike, we’ll ultimately arise at Everest Base Camp (5,364m). It is the place where the expedition to the top of the world set in motion. Revel in the phenomenal views encompassing the frozen Khumbu glacier and icefall. When all was said and done, we’ll retrace our steps to Gorakshep (5,180m).

Early in the morning, we’ll proceed to Kala Patthar, one in the few viewpoints which offer jaw-dropping Everest panorama. From the vertex, we can watch the sun rising above the snow-covered mountains, spreading the orange hues on the white sheet of snow. The 360o display of Everest and its adjacent peaks are so divine that you’ll be unable to forget during your time on earth. After some time, we’ll make our way down to Dingboche (4,410m).

Having the sight of overwhelmingly impressive Himalayan vistas en route, we’ll navigate through moraines then march all the way to Chhukung (4,730m).In addition to the multiple precipitous climbs, the route to Island Peak Base Camp (4,970m) passes by the masses of rocks and sediment carried down and deposited by Lhotse Glacier. At the mid-afternoon, we’ll make an appearance in Base Camp. Following some rest and lunch, we’ll begin our Pre-Climb Training. Our knowledgeable guide will aid you with the correct way to climbing gears such as ice axe, climbing boots, crampons, harness, and ascender. You’ll also learn climbing techniques using ropes. Even though it’s not compulsory to acquire prior training or experience before the ascending the Island Peak but we strongly that these few hours of training will definitely enhance your instincts, and confidence, which will further boost the probability of conquering the mountaintop.

Prior to the break of the day, we’ll set off with the goal to conquer the Island Peak. At first, we’ll ascend numerous short rock steps to emerge at the right side of the rock gully. Our guides will fix a rope wherever and whenever you’ll be in need of it. Thereafter, we’ll pursue a ridgeline and advance to the summit glacier’s edge. Traversing several crevasses via aluminium ladder, we’ll get over a steep snow slope to set our feet at the top. From the elevation of 6,189m, we can gaze at the heavenly panorama covering the entire area. We’ll spend some wonderful moment here then steadily descend back to Dingboche.

As the weather of the Khumbu Region is very much unpredictable, we have the day this ‘Reserve day’ as a contingency plan in case the unfavourable weather conditions (or some other causes) does not permit us to conquer the summit of Island Peak on day thirteen. Rather than worrying about the effects of on-site problems on the final ascent to the summit, keeping a reserve day from the start of the journey always helps! Prevention is better than cure!!

Succeeding the conquest of Island Peak, it’s time we return to the grounds with human civilization. We’ll progress down to Phunke Tenga passing by the bridges, chortens, monasteries, mani walls, prayer flags, thriving woodlands, boulderstone and Sherpa settlements of Somare, Deboche, Pangboche and Tengboche. With the awe-inspiring mountain outlooks by our side, we’ll traverse a handful of suspension bridges over Dudh Koshi River then continue across the dense forest and multiple Sherpa villages to get as far as Namche Bazaar (3,440m).

Along the riverside of the Dudh Koshi, we’ll descend via the uneven track past the rustic villages resided by Sherpa communities to Lukla. This day, we’ll negotiate fairly easy trail primarily consisting downhill movements. Reward your worn-out body with much-required rest and a sound sleep.

Bidding farewell to the spell-binding terrains and hospitable people, we’ll board a scheduled flight back to Kathmandu. Throughout this brief flight, you’ll again encounter the landscapes as pretty as a picture.  At Kathmandu, you can rest and recollect the past memories or explore the unseen marketplaces to shop for souvenirs.

We are more than happy to help you with our expertise to fulfil your life-long dream of triumphing over a Himalayan summit. You can go for the next adventure and definitely count us in! If you wish to return your homeland then one of our representatives will guide to the airport three hours prior to the scheduled flight. Hope to see you again! Farewell!!